Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from Netgalley. I wanted to like this book, but unfortunately I didn't connect with it and found it a slog getting to the end. I normally enjoy books of vignettes from people's working lives, but I found the writer's attitude quite judgemental and misogynistic at times. I felt there wasn't enough depth given to the stories, and the 'tie' thing felt quite tenuous and unnecessary. Unfortunately not for me, although I seem to be in the minority.

Loved the premise of this book after having spent a lot of years myself working behind a bar so i fully understand how it sometimes feels like a confessional.

Tie Stories is a fascinating collection of 101 stories told to a Dublin barman, weaving together tales of love, loss, and the unexpected wisdom of everyday people. The book is raw, real, and filled with humor, heartache, and sharp observations about life. Each story, from The Longer Tie to The Librarian Tie, delivers a little punch of truth—sometimes bittersweet, sometimes hilarious, but always engaging. I enjoyed reading it because it felt like eavesdropping on real conversations, ones that stick with you long after you turn the last page.

If you love a good yarn spun over a pint, then Tie Stories is your next best drinking buddy. This book serves up 101 juicy, sometimes gut-punching, sometimes laugh-out-loud tales straight from a Dublin pub, where wisdom flows as freely as the beer. One minute, you're nodding along to a poignant life lesson; the next, you're chuckling at a barman’s no-nonsense take on human nature. It’s like an Irish storyteller sat you down and said, “Alright, let me tell ya something…”—and trust me, you’ll want to listen. 🍻📖